Quote:


It's fascinating.... something I didn't know, and it actually makes sense, a  bit like what homeopaths do, give you a little of something you are allergic to, and it combats your allergy. Isn't that what those flu shots are about also?

cods wrote on Jun 5^th, 2015 at 11:41am:


they are all around the same size, im using 8 framed hives while you can also get 10 framed hives... you can build them up or pack them down with extra boxes depending on the time of year..

the Queen will lay more or less eggs depending on the amount of food available... so if food is cut down so will egg production... as the worker bees only live to 4 to 6 weeks before dying again, its not long before hive numbers will drop..

when more food is available, the queen will split the hive and take half with her to start another hive and thereby increasing numbers all over the world... well they try... its instinctive..

as a bee keeper you have to keep a close eye out and if they are getting FULL in the hive you can stack another box on so that they can continue to pack in the honey during spring and summer.. this is excess honey and the stuff that you can draw on... you always have to leave the bees some as its "their food sauce"

Queens will rarely split the hive in their first year and some beekeepers will replace the Queen every year...

you also have an option of splitting the Hive yourself...

although the Queen seems to be running the show... if she is not performing she'll be booted out and the hive will make new queens that will perform better...

the drones (males) who's only task is to mate - will be thrown out in winter as they perform no working tasks within the hive... they are only another mouth to feed that they don't need in winter as food supplies drop... any drone cells within the hive will be taken apart and thrown out as well...

I saw this happen recently just be chance... I was looking at the hive when a large group of bees started to come out the front... when I went in for a closer look I saw this large bee... for a minute I thought it was the Queen and that she was taking half my hive away... 

but then I saw another large bee and figured that they were only drones.. sheesh.. it was the first time I've seen the drones... I have not seen my Queen yet...

drone lower left of centre of pic.. he's the bigger one



worker bee



Security making short work of a wasp



new hive



Frames



Painted Hive

the Sun was out around midday so there was plenty of action around the Hive...

I had them landing on my legs, arms, face.. 

...one tried to land on my eyelid while another one landed on my nose which tickled it like mad...

they are so soft and delicate when they are on you and relaxed

try this
hmm too many kbs

indeed.

I wish I was clever enoughto downsize my photos. Perhaps I'll try again later.

But it is true the diversity is the key. At different times of year I hear the bees and smell the honey blossoms of the gums. It permeates the air. Gorgeous. I always check to see which bees are most present, and it is most often the feral euros unfortunately. Nevertheless the Native bees are still doing well.

This afternoon I was checking something out re water tanks near the house and heard bees.  When I looked,  there were bees all around the She -Oaks. Or perhaps fire oaks, 'cos as winter comes the ends of all those lovely needles develop long coppery redish extensions, which are actually flowers, and that was where the bees were.

It has been unusually warm and wet here so far this winter, and everything is green. Wonderful.





.

Incredible.. but it is raining. 

Seems there is someone on this forum who is playing silly games.

My icon has been changed, then, deleted, then changed the deleted.. and my gender symbol has been changed.  Is this happening to anyone else.?  I seem to be targeted for some reason.

Black Orchid wrote on Aug 4^th, 2015 at 1:45pm:


thankyou BO... you are one of the great "Ladies" of the forum..